The Shakers (Mother Ann Lee) - SP09

The Shakers (Mother Ann Lee)

Criticisms with American Society:

• Didn't follow their religion and beliefs
• Quakers- similar, but allowed marriage and sexual relations

• Technically called "The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing", then shortened to "Shaking Quakers"
• Preach that demonstrations of shaking purified the worshiper
  
• Preach that sinfulness can be avoided by keeping men and women separate to prevent any temptation
• Teach followers that perfect holiness can be attained by:
• Owning no personal property
  
• Celibacy
• Physical labor is a blessing
• Equality of the sexes, but separated
• Mother Ann Lee is the Second Appearance of Christ

• Immigrated to America with a select group to preach
• Preached to followers- very enthusiastic and physical service
• Demonstrations of shaking and trembling to purge the sin from the body by the power of the Holy Spirit
• Radical for the time; very different from the Quakers although shared some of the same beliefs

• Era of Manifestations- strengthened the bonds of the Shakers
• Followers chose her as their "Spiritual Mother"
• Performed a number of miracles

• Many people thought they were crazy and impractical
• Mother Ann was often jailed for disorderly conduct on the Sabbath
• People also thought they were spies

• Once people joined the Shakers, their property was immediately given to the society. The government didn't agree with this, and made it difficult. It would be helpful for them to cooperate with their beliefs
• Monetary support- membership declined about 40 years after it began